US3718902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle seat belt alarm and starter interlock control system
Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A source of voltage is connected to a starter interlock through a normally open seat switch and a first normally closed seat belt actuated switch. Closing of the seat switch when a passenger sits connects the voltage to the interlock and disables the starter mechanism. Buckling the seat belt opens the seat belt actuated switch and enables the starter mechanism. The voltage is also connected to the starter interlock through the series combination of the normally opened seat switch and a normally closed relay switch. Battery voltage is coupled to the relay switch coil through a second normally open seat belt actuated switch and a capacitor in series. Buckling of the seat belt causes a pulse of current to be transmitted through the capacitor to energize the relay coil thereby opening the normally closed relay switch. A holding circuit through the seat switch maintains the relay switch open. Thus, the seat belt must be buckled after sitting down in order to provide the pulse of current to initially close the relay switch and to provide the continuing current to keep the relay closed. While the vehicle is in use, a warning buzzer and warning light are actuated by the same voltage source which disables the starting circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 G Pearsall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/48; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4816; B60R2022/4858; B60R2022/4866; B60R2022/4883; B60R2022/4891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
In a vehicle seat belt and starter interlock system wherein the interlock has an enabling state that enables the start switch to start the motor and a disabling state that prevents the start switch from starting the motor, the state of the interlock being a function of the state of the electrical input applied, from an electrical source, to an input to the interlock, the improvement for assuring that the seat belt is fastened subsequent to the passenger seating himself in the vehicle, comprising: a seat switch having a first state when no passenger is seated and having a second state in response to the seating of a passenger in the seat involved, a first seat belt actuated switch having a first state when the seat belt is unbuckled and having a second state when the seat belt is buckled, a second seat belt actuated switch responsive to the process of buckling the seat belt to change state during said process, a relay switch having a first state and a second state, said relay switch having an actuating input, a capacitor electrically coupled between said actuating input of said relay switch and said second seat belt actuated switch, said change of state of said second seat belt actuated switch providing an electrical pulse through said capacitor to force said relay into its second state, and a holding circuit to hold said relay in its second state, the holding circuit including said seat switch and said first seat belt actuated switch, said holding circuit being open when said seat switch is in its first state or when said first seat belt actuated switch is in its first state, said second state of said seat switch in combination with said first state of said relay switch providing a first state electrical input at the interlock to cause the interlock to be maintained in its disabling state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
In a vehicle seat belt and starter interlock system wherein the interlock has an enabling state that enables the start switch to start the motor and a disabling state that prevents the start switch from starting the motor, the state of the interlock being a function of the state of the electrical input applied, from an electrical source, to an input to the interlock, the improvement for assuring that the seat belt is fastened subsequent to the passenger seating himself in the vehicle, comprising: a seat switch having a first state when no passenger is seated and having a second state in response to the seating of a passenger in the seat involved, a first seat belt actuated switch having a first state when the seat belt is unbuckled and having a second state when the seat belt is buckled, a second seat belt actuated switch responsive to the process of buckling the seat belt to change state during said process, a relay switch having a first state and a second state, said relay switch having an actuating input, a capacitor electrically coupled between said actuating input of said relay switch and said second seat belt actuated switch, said change of state of said second seat belt actuated switch providing an electrical pulse through said capacitor to force said relay into its second state, and a holding circuit to hold said relay in its second state, the holding circuit including said seat switch and said first seat belt actuated switch, said holding circuit being open when said seat switch is in its first state or when said first seat belt actuated switch is in its first state, said second state of said seat switch in combination with said first state of said relay switch providing a first state electrical input at the interlock to cause the interlock to be maintained in its disabling state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The interlock system of claim 1 wherein: said first seat belt actuated switch is switched from its first state to its second state during the buckling of said seat bElt at a point in time no later than when said second seat belt actuated switch changes state during the process of buckling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The interlock system of claim 1 further comprising: a warning system operable when the vehicle is in a predetermined drive state, said second state of seat switch in combination with said first state of said first seat belt actuated switch causing said warning system to be actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The interlock system of claim 2 further comprising: a warning system operable when the vehicle is in a predetermined drive state, said second state of seat switch in combination with said first state of said first seat belt actuated switch causing said warning system to be actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 1 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 2 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 3 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 4 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
311 words
In a vehicle seat belt and starter interlock system wherein a normally closed interlock is opened by an input voltage to the interlock from a source of voltage, the interlock when opened prevents the start switch from starting the motor, the improvement for assuring that the seat belt is fastened subsequent to the passenger seating himself in the vehicle, comprising: a normally open seat switch that closes in response to the seating of a passenger, a first seat belt actuated switch having a first state when the seat belt is unbuckled and having a second state when the seat belt is buckled, said seat switch when closed and said first seat belt actuated switch when in said first state providing a path between the source of voltage and the interlock to open the interlock, a relay switch having a first state and a second state, said relay switch having an actuating input, said seat switch when closed, said first seat belt actuated switch when in said second state and said relay switch when in said first state providing a path between the source of voltage and the input to the interlock to open the interlock, a second seat belt actuated switch responsive to the process of buckling the seat belt to change state during said process, a capacitor electrically coupled between said actuating input of said relay switch and said second seat belt actuated switch, said change of state of said second seat belt actuated switch providing an electrical pulse through said capacitor to force said relay into its second state, and a holding circuit to hold said relay in its second state, the holding circuit including said seat switch and said first seat belt actuated switch, said holding circuit being open when said seat switch is open or when said first seat belt actuated switch is in its first state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
311 words
In a vehicle seat belt and starter interlock system wherein a normally closed interlock is opened by an input voltage to the interlock from a source of voltage, the interlock when opened prevents the start switch from starting the motor, the improvement for assuring that the seat belt is fastened subsequent to the passenger seating himself in the vehicle, comprising: a normally open seat switch that closes in response to the seating of a passenger, a first seat belt actuated switch having a first state when the seat belt is unbuckled and having a second state when the seat belt is buckled, said seat switch when closed and said first seat belt actuated switch when in said first state providing a path between the source of voltage and the interlock to open the interlock, a relay switch having a first state and a second state, said relay switch having an actuating input, said seat switch when closed, said first seat belt actuated switch when in said second state and said relay switch when in said first state providing a path between the source of voltage and the input to the interlock to open the interlock, a second seat belt actuated switch responsive to the process of buckling the seat belt to change state during said process, a capacitor electrically coupled between said actuating input of said relay switch and said second seat belt actuated switch, said change of state of said second seat belt actuated switch providing an electrical pulse through said capacitor to force said relay into its second state, and a holding circuit to hold said relay in its second state, the holding circuit including said seat switch and said first seat belt actuated switch, said holding circuit being open when said seat switch is open or when said first seat belt actuated switch is in its first state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The interlock system of claim 9 wherein: said first seat belt actuated switch is switched from its first state to its second state during the buckling of said seat belt at a point in time no later than when said second seat belt actuated switch changes state during the process of buckling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The interlock system of claim 9 further comprising: a warning system operable when the vehicle is in a predetermined drive state, said second state of seat switch in combination with said first state of said first seat belt actuated switch causing said warning system to be actuated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The interlock system of claim 10 further comprising: a warning system operablE when the vehicle is in a predetermined drive state, said second state of seat switch is in combination with said first state of said first seat belt actuated switch causing said warning system to be actuated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 9 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 10 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 11 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interlock system of claim 12 further comprising: time delay means to hold said relay in its second state for a predetermined time period after said holding circuit is opened.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3340523A
Cited
US3449714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |